Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1887-10-25
MISCELLANEOUS.
a Daughter Worth Having.

Two gentlemen, friends who had been parted
for years, met in crowded city street. The
one who lived in the city was on his way to
meet pressing business engagement. After
few expressions of delight, he said
"Well, I'm off. I'm sorry, but 10 can't be
helped. 1 will look for you tomorrow at din
ner. Remember, two o'clock sharp. I want
you to see my wife and child"
"Only one child 2' asked the other.
"ouly one came the answer, tcnderly, "a
daughter. But she's darling"
':And then they partedi the stranger in the
city getting into street car bound for tho Park
After going block or two. q group of FIVE
girls entered the car; they evidently belonged
to families of wealth; they conversed WE'LL
Each carried very elaborate decorated idhch
basket; each was wcll-dressed. They, too.
were going to the Park for picnic. They
seemed happy and amiable until the car again
stopped, this time letting in palc-facc girl of
about eleven and sick boy of four. These
children were shabbily dressed, and on their
faces were looks of distress. They, too, were
on, their way to the Park .:rhe gentleman
thought so; SO did the group of girls, for he
heard one of them say, with look of disdain !:
90 1 suppose the ragamufIins are on an excur-
sion. too 7'
g shouldn't want to leave home If I had to
look like that Would you?"
"N No. indeed! But there is no accounting
for tastes. think there ought to be a special
line of cars for the lower classes"
All this was spoken in low tone, but the
gentleman heard it. Had the child. too He
glanced ut the pale face and saw tears. He
was angry.
4I,o,, 4I,o 81 TUI,- Eho-o Z.
Nettie! Wonder where she is going? ?" caused
him look out upon the corner, where asweet-
faced young lady stood bcckoning to the car
driver. When she entered the car she was
warmly greeted by the five, and they made
room for her beside them They were profusc
in EXPLANATIONS and qdcstions.
"Where are yOu going?" asked one.
"Oh. what lovely flowers! Who arc they
for ?" asked another.
I'm my way to Belle Clark's. She Is
sick, you know. and the flowers arc for her"
She answered both questions at once. and
then, glancing toward the door OF the car, saw
the pale girl looking wistfully ut her. She
smiled at the child. n tender look bcaming from
her beautiful eyes, and then, forgetting that
she wore a handsome velvet skirt and costly
jacket. and that her shapely hands were COW
| cred with welI-fitted gloves. she left her scat
and crossed over to the little one. She laid
one hand on the boys thin cheek as she asked
of his sister:
"This little boy Is sick, is he not7 And he
is your brother, I am sure"
1t seemed hard for the girl TO answer, but
finally she said:
"Yes, miss, he is sick. Freddie never Bas
been well. Yes. miss, he is my brother. We're
goin' to the Park TO see If twont make Frddie
bettcS"
al am glad you are going" the young girl
replied in a low voice meant for no ones ears
except those of the child. "I think It will do
him good; it's lovely there with the spring
flowers all in bloom. But where is your
lunch You ought to have lunch after so
long ride"
Over the little girls face came flush.
''Yes, miss, VIC ought to, for Freddie's sake,
but, yOu see. we didn't have any lunch to
bring. Tim-he's our brOthcr-he saved these
pennies so as Freddie could ride to the Park
and back. guess mebbe. Frcddieu forget
! about being hungry when he gets to the
Park"
There were tears in the lovely girls eyes as
she listened T; and very soon she asked the girl
where they lived. and wrote the address down
in tablet which she took from bag on her
arm.
After riding few blocks she left the cars
but she had not left the little ones comfortless.
Half the boquet of yiolets and byacinths were
clasped in the sisters hand, while the sick
boy, with radiant face. held in his hand q
package, from which he helped himself now
and then, saying to his sister in a jubileut
whisper:
''she said we could eat 'em aI-cvery one
when we get to the Park. What made her. so
sweet and good TO us7"
And the little girl whispered back;
Its cause she's beautiful as well as her
clothes" The gentleman heard her whisper.
When the park was reached the five girls
hurried ont Then the gentleman lifted the
little boy in his arms and carried him out of
the car, across tine road aud into the green
Park, the sister, with heart full Of gratitude,
following. He paid for nice ride for them
in the goat carriage; he treated them 20 OTTER
sOup at the Park restaurant.
at two o'clock sharp. the next da5y, lie f8o
gentleman, as agreed, met again
/" This is my wife, said the Eost proudly,
introducing comeiy lady, ard this" as a
young lady OF fifteen entered the parIor, I" il
my daughter"
:. Ah ~ said the guest, as he extended Ia.